High levels of planning disputes cause delay

RECORD numbers of planning disputes are causing growing delays in decisions on contentious developments.

Less than half (49%) of all cases referred to An Bord Pleanála are now being finalised within the 18-week deadline set out in law — down from 82% 10 years ago. The board has repeatedly stated its aim is to have at least 90% of cases dealt with in time.

Board chairman John O’Connor said the backlog was due to a record level of cases being appealed. According to the board’s annual report published yesterday, 5,930 new appeals were lodged last year and the number for 2007 is expected to reach 7,000.